it's hard to believe but i am days away from the one year mark of joining the peace corps. i feel like so much has happened and i have changed so much over the past year. i've seen a lot, experienced even more, and here i am entering into my second year, not really knowing what else is in store for me.

i know i have a bit more traveling ahead...but i am almost over night trains-especially those without beds!

those trips always seem to be worth it though! it only took us one year to find this goodness...but i present to you ben and jerry's cookie dough ice cream right out of the capital city of romania!

i've been a bit busy lately, trying to finish out the school year and make plans for the summer. i will be involved in many things over the next few months that will keep me occupied, to say the least. i am participating in a big habitat for humanity build in a couple of weeks and then before i know it, the year will be over and i will be immersed in camps and such until next school year rolls around. and if i'm lucky, i will get a bit of vacationing somewhere in there. i'm thinking my first trip to the black sea is in order. everyone raves about the romanian sea side. i'm mostly looking forward to being with other volunteers and making the most of the time we have together. but i have had some interesting experiences here at site that are keeping me going!

i do love the beauty of spring here in romania. this is one of my favorite houses in my town. 

one of my best students took me down to the river. we sat and listened to the water rushing while taking in some sun and just chatting. it was the most relaxed i've been here in romania. i believe it is my new favorite spot and i plan to take everyone here that comes to visit. it is a bit of a walk outside of town and in the middle of nothing but fields. but totally worth it!

so surprise! this morning i was presented to the congregation of the reformat church here in town (the preacher just so happens to be my landlord). he gave a short introduction and then made me go up and give this speech! setting aside the fact that i don't speak hungarian, it took all i had to even understand the letters because of his illegible handwriting. i was so nervous and afraid that i would totally mess up, but i went up there and gave it my best shot in front of the packed church. all of the older people thought i was the cutest thing, and i got a few sympathy kisses on the way out, but i would say over all success! not that i would ever volunteer to do that again...

well that's all for now :)